Somerville Police Urge Caution After Sexual Assault Reports

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SOMERVILLE (CBS) — Police are advising women to take precautions walking at night near Union Square and Porter Square after three sexual assaults in those areas were reported over the past three months.

On Sunday, Jan. 12, a 45-year-old woman was indecently assaulted on Hawkins Street near Somerville Avenue in the Union Square area, the Somerville Police said in a prepared statement. The suspect was described as a white Hispanic man, 25 to 30 years of age, about 5-foot-6-inches tall, with a medium build and brown eyes. The suspect was wearing a black zip-up sweater, a beanie cap with ear flaps, black tennis shoes and jeans, and he was carrying a gray back pack.

On Thursday, Jan. 2, a 28-year-old woman was indecently assaulted while walking on Porter Street between Summer Street and Highland Avenue in the Porter Square area. The suspect was described as a white man, 20 to 30 years of age, about 5-foot-9-inches tall, with a thin-athletic build, and clean shaven. The suspect was wearing a red ski jacket with black under the arm pits and dark pants. The suspect fled from Porter Street down Francis Street to Conwell Street, the police said.

The suspect in the Jan. 2 sexual assault closely resembles a suspect who committed a similar offense on Porter Street near Elm Street in the Porter Square area on Nov. 18. Whether or not one suspect is responsible for both incidents remains under investigation.

The Somerville Police urge everyone, especially women, to take precautions while walking at night. Do not wear ear buds while walking, avoid poorly lit areas, be aware of your surroundings, and do not walk alone if possible, the police said.

Anyone with information regarding any of these assaults is asked to contact Sgt. Richard Lavey at the Somerville Police Department Family Services Unit at 617-625-1600, Ext. 7237. Anonymous tips may also be texted to the phone number “TIP411″ ( 847411 ); then put “617spd” at the beginning of your text message.